.png){kind=small}
.png)
Meet the Team
At Mike Dianna's Grill Room, we take pride in being passionate about what we do. Our team is dedicated to creating fresh, flavorful dishes and providing exceptional service. As a strong anchor to our local community, we strive to create a warm and inviting dining experience. Whether you're looking for a romantic evening out or a casual night with family and friends, we are here to serve you.
Founder/Butcher
Mike Dianna
Mike founded the Mike Dianna's Grill Room in 2005. He grew up in Pennsylvania and spent a summer here in 1996 and fell in love with The Outer Banks. After graduating from college in 1997 he moved to The Outer Banks full-time and hasn't left. He worked at a few local establishments for a few years before becoming General Manager of JKs, which he ended up buying in 2003 and making it his own in 2005 and starting what is now known as Mike Dianna's Grill Room. He has a love of music, sports and entertainment and is also the founder of Mustang Outreach Program-Music education for children. After selling Mike Dianna's Grill Room in 2016 he fully pursued his concert and music promotion business with Mustang Music Festival, Mustang Spring Jam and Rock and Roast all music and food forward festivals loved by visitors and locals alike. BUT in 2020 he realized his true love was Mike Dianna's Grill Room and is currently back as the full-time butcher hand cutting each and every steak in the restaurant.
Owner/Chef
Meghann Pauls
Meghann moved to The Outer Banks, specifically Corolla when she was 4 years old in 1983. There was no grocery store, school was at least an hour away, horses roamed in her back yard and she loved it! She did spend time in the mountains and graduated college from Appalachian State University in 2001. But the beach was calling her name still. She moved back full time after graduation and now only leaves to travel in the winter. She started waiting tables at what is now Mike Dianna's Grill Room in 2002 (JKs) then and quickly moved into management. She has been at Mike Dianna's Grill Room since it started in 2005 and in 2016 gained ownership from Mike Dianna and has never looked back. She loves to create menu items that are different than anywhere else on The Outer Banks. She loves the seasonality of the restaurant, works hard all season to take the time off in the winter to be with her two daughters, travel and garden.
Chefs
The Kitchen Boys
Without these three, the restaurant would not be the same. Aubrey Cole, who is the Meghann's brother, started at the restaurant when he was seventeen bussing tables. He has since moved to the kitchen and is the current kitchen manager. He grills, sautés, and creates specials. He is just generally a good guy to everyone he encounters.
John Marzetti has been with Meghann since 2017 full time. He is the resident seafood butcher, maintenance guy and grill guy. He has the biggest heart and is the most loyal person around.
Wellington Gonzalez started as a busser in 2020 but we quickly realized that he could do more. He moved into the kitchen and can do almost every position now. He runs prep and breakfast and lunch, grills at night, sauté, salads, you name it!!!!